Travel DreamScapes: Disney Cruise Line (*)

Most people associate Disney with children’s entertainment and for this reason they would probably not consider the Disney Cruise Line for an adults only vacation. But, if you’ve never sailed with the Disney Cruise Line, you’ll find that a Disney cruise offers a vacation experience unlike any other! The Disney Cruise Line is a cut above the rest, the ships are kept in immaculate condition and great attention is paid to every detail when it comes to the total guest experience.

In J.D. Powers’ recently released Cruise Line Satisfaction Report for 2013, Disney Cruise Line sailed into the top spot! Various cruise lines were rated along seven categories based on their order of importance: service, stateroom, food, embarkation/ debarkation, entertainment, cost and excursions (port adventures). The ranking totals were out of 1,000 possible points and were based on 3,003 responses from customers who travelled on a cruise ship. The rankings took place from May 29 through June 14 of this year. Disney Cruise Line was ranked first with 871 points and performed especially well in the food and entertainment categories.

Disney Cruise Line was officially founded in 1998 although it was originally created in 1995 when the Walt Disney Company commissioned its two ships at Fincantieri, an Italian shipbuilding company based in Trieste, Italy.

Today, the Disney Cruise Line operates four ships, the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, all mixing grand elegance with an element of fun. There are no casinos on Disney ships but with Broadway caliber shows, restaurants, night clubs, lounges, first-rate Disney films, pools, whirlpool and spa, you will not miss the gambling.

Of course there are children on board but the vacation experience is so well orchestrated that if you want to relax as adults, you can.

I was fortunate enough to sail on the Disney Wonder twice thus far. The first voyage was a 4-night cruise sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida to Nassau, Bahamas and Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island. The second voyage began from Los Angeles, California and sailed to Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

The Disney Cruise Line offers various staterooms to fit everyone’s budget. The Deluxe Ocean View Staterooms with a veranda are located on decks 5,6 and 7. You will be sure to find a different towel animal awaiting you when you return to your stateroom in the evening and there will always be chocolates on your pillow.

Dining aboard the Disney Wonder includes fresh, expertly prepared dishes made available to you and your family 24 hours a day. With diverse menus, delightfully themed restaurants and Disney’s innovative Rotational Dining system you can enjoy a different restaurant each night of your cruise.

Disney Cruise Line nightclubs and lounges on the Disney Wonder ship include a piano bar, a sports bar and a dance club. My favorite, the Cadillac Lounge, a piano bar located on Deck 3, Forward in the Route 66 section, is an intimate spot with a classic Cadillac theme, where adults can listen to live music, enjoy a cocktail and unwind.

Whether you are cruising for the first time or are a seasoned veteran of the seas, the Disney Cruise Line in an excellent choice. They offer itineraries to satisfy every need and budget and make the overall cruising experience one that will bring you back year after year!